Australia debuted the world’s first wave-generating grid station on February 18. The station generates not only power, but also desalinated water – all while releasing zero harmful emissions.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Minister for Industry and Science (Ian Macfarlane) officially switched on the Carnegie Perth Wave Energy Project’s power station. It is said to generate enough energy to power 200,000 homes while also generating purified water from the ocean.

The energy-generating device operates at a depth of between 25 and 50 meters under water. This will keep it sheltered from storms and make it invisible from the shore.

How does it work? The CETO system-dubbed by its creators- is a series of interconnected, large, buoy-looking devices that drives hydro turbines from the motion of the ocean and turning the motion into electricity. If successful, the device can replace or reduce reliance on harmful greenhouse gas-emitting pumps. The project will sell power and fresh water to the Australian Department of Defense to supply Australia’s largest naval base, HMAS Sterling.

ARENA CEO, Ivor Frischknecht, explained in a press release, “These pumps feed high pressure water onshore to the hydroelectric power station and desalination plant, supplying renewable energy and fresh water…this progress is a clear example that given time, and with the right government support, emerging renewable energy technologies can progress along the innovation chain towards commercialization." The agency has provided $13 million of the $32 million project.

Each year, more than 840,000 people die from water-related diseases. With this device, that number will hopefully decrease over time.